$40-50 billion target for Indian technical textiles

The technical textile segment in India has experienced robust growth, in domestic sales and in exports, and the government is predicting a doubling of the market in the next five years. Rachna Shah, secretary of the Indian ministry of textiles, announced this highly optimistic outlook at the 6th edition of the National Conclave on Standards and Regulations for Technical Textiles.

What makes technical textiles different is their technical and functional properties, not aesthetic or decorative characteristics. They are usually used as a component/part of another product, and satisfy specific functions such as fire retardant fabric for the uniforms of firemen and coated fabric used in awnings.

According to Shah, the current market size for technical textiles in India is about $22 billion. But, she said, the government is aiming higher, and has set the target at $40-50 billion within for the next five years.

India currently exports technical textiles worth $2.5 billion. The government's ambitious objective is to increase this export value to $10 billion.

That’s not much. The world market for technical textiles is around $260 billion. And analysts, anticipating further growth, are projecting it to be $325 billion by 2025-26.

Technical textiles, classified as specialized materials and products, primarily find application in various high-end industries. These textiles offer unique technical performance characteristics, making them invaluable for numerous sectors.

To achieve these ambitious targets, the government is employing a multi-pronged strategy. One of the key focuses is on research and development in the technical textile sector, including advancements in fibers and their applications across various industries. The government is also actively nurturing skilled manpower in this area. 

Shah stressed the need to develop standards and regulations for technical textiles since they are highly specialized products, and must adhere to high-performance norms.